Everything you need to know about finding an apartment, understanding your rights, researching buildings, and navigating Boston's rental market.
60,000+ moves happen on September 1st. Student housing dominates many neighborhoods.
Check RentSmart violations, 311 complaints, and building scores for free.
Everything you need to know about apartment hunting in Boston. From setting your budget to signing the lease.
New to renting in Boston? This guide covers everything from documents you'll need to common mistakes to avoid.
Find the best neighborhoods in Boston for your budget. Compare average rents, transit access, and quality of life.
New to Boston? Start here to learn the basics of apartment hunting.
Everything you need to know about apartment hunting in Boston. From setting your budget to signing the lease.
12 min readNew to renting in Boston? This guide covers everything from documents you'll need to common mistakes to avoid.
14 min readDon't sign a lease without asking these critical questions. Protect yourself from surprises.
7 min readComplete guide for relocating to Boston. Budget, timeline, neighborhoods, and tips from locals.
15 min readDecode Boston apartment types: triple-decker, brownstone, garden-level, and more. What do they all mean?
8 min readEverything you need to know about September 1st, 'Allston Christmas,' and how to survive Boston's busiest moving day.
10 min readKnow your legal protections as a Boston renter.
A comprehensive guide to tenant rights in Massachusetts. From repairs to eviction protections.
15 min readUnderstand your rights when your lease is up. Renewal terms, rent increases, and negotiation strategies.
9 min readKnow your rights regarding heat and hot water. Learn what to do if your landlord doesn't comply.
6 min readNeed to break your lease early? Learn your options, potential costs, and how to negotiate.
10 min readLearn how to research any building before you rent.
Understand the true costs of renting in Boston.
Understanding broker fees, how they work, and how to find no-fee apartments in Boston.
7 min readEverything about security deposits in Massachusetts, including limits, timelines, and getting your money back.
8 min readDon't meet income requirements? Learn about guarantors, co-signers, and alternatives in Boston.
9 min readProtect yourself from rental fraud and scams.
48 inches of snow annually. Heat violations are weighted 25% higher in our scoring. Make sure your building won't leave you freezing.
Boston is expensive upfront. You'll typically need first month's rent, last month's rent, security deposit (max 1 month), and a broker fee (usually 1 month). For a $2,500/month apartment, expect $10,000+ upfront.
Read our First-Time Renter Guide →No. Massachusetts voters banned rent control statewide in 1994. Boston landlords can raise rent by any amount with proper notice (usually 30 days for month-to-month, or at lease end).
Read our Tenant Rights Guide →September 1st is Boston's biggest moving day due to student leases. Over 60,000 moves happen on this single day. "Allston Christmas" refers to all the furniture left on the streets for anyone to take.
Read our Sept 1st Survival Guide →You can check RentSmart violations for free on StreetSmart by searching any Boston address. We show violation history, 311 complaints, and building quality scores.
Massachusetts landlords can charge: first month's rent, last month's rent, one month's security deposit, and the cost of a new lock. Security deposits must be held in a separate, interest-bearing Massachusetts bank account.
Read our Security Deposit Guide →All information in this guide is based on official Boston data and Massachusetts regulations. StreetSmart aggregates data from multiple city agencies to give you the most complete picture of any building.
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